Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-04-30

lOrn, impoverished aspect and liking the
atendsrfoots makeup" had generously
taken him into partnership, sharing his
little cabin and claim with young Goodner,
whom he soon learned to love with all a
rough frontiersman's wealth Of true afee-
ton. He had Just brought his tender
fOetS out Of q lingering fever, during
which Big Dan had been a most devoted
nurse.
"WeIl, Eb, what say you, my boy?" asked
the young miners big partner. glancing at
Ebsn's pale face.
Il viii go, pard, }" he returned
@lSo need ter caution that chap ter break
It scrter gentle-like, fur the gals sake, fur
know he will. He's more like a female
critter than airy man in camp, and the big
fellow gazed pridefully at his prOtege,
after bestowing what. in his estimation,
was a high compliment.
Before anything further could be said OF
done, there came a swift rush Of light foot
falls up TO the door Of the Sleeping Tiger.
then 3 short pause, and AIinola Rhodes,
the gamblers fair daughter, stood before
that body Of surprised men.
Her rapid breathing testified that she
had come quickly from the mountain cabin.
! Her long, golden hair fell in rippling
streams over her round, shapely shoulders;
her violet eyes looked almost black with
some excitement she seemed laboring to
overcome; and the Wild-rose flush on the
smooth oval cheeks came and went in
lovely play.
A thin, blue shawl was worn loosely
around her shoulders. As soon as the girl
had regained her breath; she took from its
folds a bag filed with shining geld pieces
and placed it on the table before Big Dan.
Those rough miners gazed at the girl,
noting her action, but scarcely breathing.
Eben Goodner did not once remove his
fascinated gaze from the pure, sweet
countenance Of AIinola Rhodes.
After laying the bag on the table, her
peerless eyes wandered from face to face
Of those rough men, as if in search Of sym
patty. They lighted up beautifully as they
encountered the dark eyes Of Eben bent
upon her, and, for one moment, a
delicate crimson oversprsad The girls
lovely face; then she spoke. And
so hushed and apparently breath
breathless was that crowd Of miners gazing
upon the vision Of girlish loneliness before
them, that, as Minola's clear, bird-like
tones fell upon their ears, the tick-ticlE Of
the little clock on the wall Of the Sleeping
Tiger could be distinctly heard.
Gentlemen, she said, ~ have brought
back the gold that Philip Rhodes, my
father, won from you at this place. I did
not know until this morning by what
means he gained possession Of so much
gold I learned it in the moments of his
wild delirium, from his own lips. Mrs.
Dilsey, who is now kindly keeping watch
by my fathers sick-bed, told me the object
Of the meeting you are holding at this
saloon, so came to return your gold and
hope that act will be sufficient reparation,
when tell you my poor father will never
wrong you again. He is now on his
death-bed; and, oh sirs! as You hope for
pardon some day yourselves from your
Heavenly Father, I entreat you to let my
father die in peace in his mountain cabin,
down the gulch."
More than one of those brawny men
brushed away suspicious moisture from
his eye with his coarse hand as Minola
finished speaking. No one venturcd to
speak, at once. The girls eyes were filed
with tears she seemed struggling to keep
back. She did not stir. She was evidently
awaiting some reply.
Finally Big Dan, feeling that the honor
Of replying devolyed upon him, as spokes-
man of that meeting, after clearing his
throat of something that seemed inclined
to make his voice tremulous, said:
Miss Rhodes-aheml No Teller in jim
| Ned Gulch shall fetch a har o. yer dad g
head. Ye jes rest aisy on that pint. Big
| Dams words Hs good as COlerador gold
any day, an I've spoke. Let airy teller in
the guleh offer the leetest violence toward
Mr.. Rhodes, an I'll invent an openin'
through his anatermy that the billiards.
kin calculate plumb through an through.
Amt shoutin' the right chune, boys7
an amt all yer votes cast In favor Of my
gab7" He appealed to the crowd.
aver bet they isl" was the hearty, quick
response from all.
@An' now, Miss Rhodes, resumed Bic
Dan, Il jes appint q gentleman in this
room ter 'scort yer home, an one who kin
make himself useful in helpin' bout yer
sick dad. Ye need the sarvices of q man
bout yer cabling, an Ed Goodner will
please ter I'LL the BILL"
Mr.. Goodner was we'll pleased with his
appointment. He walked with q proud
step by the. girls side, as they wendell their
WaI down the gulch from the Sleeping
Tiger.
Poor Minola, grief-stricken though she
was, did not appear to be entirely in
sensible to the pleasure which Big Dams
thoughtful arrangement had made for her.
Now that the gold was returned,
not man was willing, under the
circumstances, to claim his own. Big Dan
took advantage, in this state Of affairs, to
make a proposition. He proposed that
they donate the bag Of gold to Eben and
Minola, as a wedding gift, If they married.
The proposition met with warm and imme-
diate approval from all present. On the
motion Of Dilsey, Big Dan was elected To
act as treasurer until the nuptiaI occasion
to which they looked forward, regardless OF
the fact that the young folks had not set
tied matters between themselves vet.
Meanwhile Eben and hinola were hast
ening down the rocky gulch to the little
cabin, where death held close, unremitting
watch over the bedside of the gambler.
The young folks exchanged but few
words. But Eben was carefully attentive
IN assisting his pretty companion ovel
brooks and rocks that intercepted thei
path. Although the girls thoughts wer.
with her dying father, she could not hell
noticing and feeling grateful for the kin,
attentions shown her by her manly escort
Eben and Minola had met several time
on the mountain, near the cabin occupied
by Rhodes and his daughter.